2 Corinthians 8:1-7 – “Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us — see that you abound in this grace also.”  NKJV

  

The question that should come to mind, at least for me, is – “How can we know when we are practicing Grace Giving?”  Is there any clear evidence that will alert us to our condition, situation or progress in this Grace?  Examine them briefly with me.  How do we know we are practicing Grace Giving?

• When We Give in Spite of Circumstances – – 2 Corinthians 8:1-2

The churches of Paul’s example, Macedonia, had not only suffered affliction but experienced a “great trial of affliction.”  They were in DEEP POVERTY. Economically they were at rock bottom and the term used for their condition is the same as is used for a beggar who has nothing and no hope of getting anything.  YET, they gave not out of compulsion but out of JOY.  They gave generously and liberally above and beyond their means or what could have been expected of them.  Consider their situation.  They were in great affliction and poverty but gave joyfully and liberally with great joy.  THAT’S GRACE!   I have learned that when anyone experiences the Grace of God in their life they never use circumstances as an excuse.  God is God and He will always be God.  He either owns the cattle on a thousand hills or He does not.  He will either supply all our need or He will not.  Grace says I BELIEVE!

• When We Give We Give Enthusiastically – – 2 Corinthians 8:3-4

Let me ask a penetrating question.  Is it possible to give generously and not do so enthusiastically?  I remember hearing the account of a miserly church member who said, “The preacher says I should give until it hurts, but for me, it hurts just to think about giving.”   Another said, “The preacher says it is better to give than receive but getting is so good I’m not sure I could stand anything better, so I’ll stick to getting.”  The Macedonians needed no prompting they gave spontaneously and generously with joy and as we see in verse 4 they begged to participate.  Their giving was GRACE, not PRESSURE.  Grace not only frees us from Sin it frees us from Ourselves.

• When We Give As Jesus Gave – – 2 Corinthians 8:5-9

Jesus is and will always be the preeminent example for us in service, suffering, and sacrifice.  The Macedonians gave themselves to others like Jesus [v.5].  If we give ourselves to God we will have no problem giving our substance or material possessions to Him as well.  If we give ourselves to God it will be easy to give ourselves to others.  It is, I contend, impossible to love God and ignore the needs of your neighbor.

The Macedonians giving was motivated by love [vv.7-8].  They gave out of their lack materially but through their abundance in Grace and Love.  Their giving was sacrificial [v.9].  Before we came to Christ we were bankrupt in many ways but once we come to Him we are rich in everything that truly matters.

• When We Give Willingly – – 2 Corinthians 8:10-22

There is a significant difference between Promise and Performance.  The Corinthians boasted about what they would do but failed to keep their promise.  In verses 10-12 we see that WILLINGNESS is the emphasis.  Grace giving must come from the heart.  God truly does love a cheerful giver.  I personally detest what I have called “auction offerings” where the one receiving the offering goes on and on and on until they get the desired amount.  Sometimes, I have witnessed people giving just to get past that portion of the service or gathering.  I have been scolded, shamed, and almost threatened as they attempted to coerce me into giving and I confess, there have been times I gave less than planned because of this approach.  If our giving is motivated by GRACE we will give WILLINGLY and not out of obligation.  God truly looks at the HEART, not just the HAND.

I heard about a man who was leaving for a business trip and his wife reminded him before church that she needed some extra money for household expenses.  Just before church, he slipped some money in her hand and she thought it was their weekly offering so she put it in the offering plate.  Afterward, they realized what had transpired and as they talked to the pastor the man said, “Oh well, we gave it all to the Lord and He keeps good records.”  The pastor paused and said, “How much did you intend to give?”  The man told him and the pastor said, “That’s what God recorded the intent because He saw the heart.”  It is not the portion but the proportion that is important.

• When We Give By Faith – – 2 Corinthians 8:13-24

The Grace of Giving is an exciting journey.  When we learn to give By Grace through Faith we will find a new world opening up to us.  As a Christian, we learn to no longer measure life or other people on the basis of money or material possessions.  If money is the best test of success then Jesus is an abject failure, because He gave all His away.  Grace giving enriches us as we enrich others.  Grace giving enables us to become more like Jesus in every way.

The question remains, “Have you or will you discover the thrill of GRACE GIVING?”  May God bless you richly as you embark on a new dimension in your life!